Rock County expands "Workender" program

Working for the weekend takes on a new meaning in Rock County. They have what's called a "Workender program", where offenders do community service on weekends. In turn, they serve out their sentence at home instead of jail.

Officials are now adding extra days to the program, allowing work to be done on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well.

Sheriff Bob Spoden says only those serving a sentence for a non-violent offense can apply for the program, such as driving on a revoked license or writing bad checks.

He says many of those who show an interest are individuals facing large fines. The program allows them to work towards paying down those fines, which many offenders struggle with after serving their sentence.

Spoden says the program is saving Rock County money, since it currently costs taxpayers $116 a day to have an inmate sit in jail and do nothing.